Gary's collection (1 Viewer)

[NZGary]

One of the more obscure Victorian Empire wars and the New Zealand wars. Clearly close to my own heart and something I have widely researched while living in this stunning country. It started in the 1840's when both the crown and the Maori population broke the Waitangi agreement regarding the purchase and use of land. Maori were fierce warriors used to fighting each other for scarce resources. Regular British troops stood little chance against guerrilla warfare and entrenched forts called Pa. The Maori would build them the British would attack and once the fort was close to falling the Maori defenders would sneak away only to build another fort close by inflicting yet more British casualties.The British use of field artillery and rocket batteries were for the most part ineffective.

The British used trenches themselves for the first time to get close to the forts and reduce casualties. As the war drifted on through the 1850's and 1860's so red coated infantry turned into blue campaign dress and finally in 1866 the regular troops were withdrawn. Local kilt dressed constabulary kept up the fight that eventually drifted to peace in the late 19th century with the Maori remaining undefeated.

 

[NZGary]

As the New Zealand Wars petered out so trouble was brewing across the Pacific Ocean in British South Africa. The threat of black African tribes and in particular the Zulu had been extinguished and it suited the Dutch/German Boer population to side with the British. But in 1899 bitter fighting broke out with the Boers with guerrilla tactics with the 'Bitter Enders' being a constant thorn for the British. Peace and a kind of victory was reached in 1902. But South Africa after WW2 was to go down a dark path that was not ended until almost exactly 100 years after the Boer War started.

 

[Ivanhoe]

To satisfy King Henry VIII's ego and revenge for France aiding the Scots in earlier rebellion Henry sided with the King of Spain to attack France. In July 1544 Henry's army lay siege to the French city of Boulogne and took the city after a couple of months. France and Spain made a separate peace agreement but France was subsequently not able to retake the city from the English. Eventually Henry reluctantly agreed to give back the city eight years later. Armies at this time were a mixture of old medieval style equipment with crossbow and longbow together with cannon and early muskets. The rise of the new weapons rendered cumbersome armour useless and it gradually became redundant.

Great idea, execution and photos of a depiction of a not too common arena of war.

Well done...I'll bet Charles Brandon is one of the characters.

Thank you.

 

[Ivanhoe]

England in the 9th century was hugely vulnerable to Danish and Norseman attacks. Those that lived near the coast or along Englands many rivers were particularly at risk of death, pillage, rape and slavery from these devils. The shallow bottomed longships could easily navigate well inland using the numerous rivers. This longboat arrives at dawn along a river in Eastern England in spring as the campaigning season starts. Its great to see Britain's and First Legion taking up producing Viking figures once Conte had ceased trading.

Great scenes onboard your Conte Viking ship...could not agree with you more on the "Britain's and First Legion taking up producing Viking figures", as my son always tells me; "You can never have enough Vikings".

Thank you for posting.

 

[Terp152]

Gary, I echo the other comments, wonderful collections and photos. Always enjoy viewing. Chris

 

[NZGary]

Gary, I echo the other comments, wonderful collections and photos. Always enjoy viewing. Chris

Many thanks Chris for your kind words. Gary

 

[NZGary]

Great scenes onboard your Conte Viking ship...could not agree with you more on the "Britain's and First Legion taking up producing Viking figures", as my son always tells me; "You can never have enough Vikings".

Thank you for posting.

Thank you sir. You can't beat the Dark Ages in our little world. Gary

 

[NZGary]

First up this week and it's autumn 1914 and the French army prepares to defend a rural town against the hated Bosh.

 

[NZGary]

Next up and its the jungles of Malaysia in 1941 as Gurkhas form a rear guard action to allow more doomed British and Commonwealth troops to slip back to the temporary safety behind the defences of Singapore.

 

[NZGary]

Now off to the Crimea and the battle of Balaclava and the doomed 600 of the British light Birgade charge down the valley of death towards the Russian guns,

 

[NZGary]

last up for this weekend is a troop of French Chasseur Cheval scouting out in front of the 'Grande Armee' in the early summer of 1812 in Western Russia. The Russians are watching and biding their time. The slaughter of Borodino is not far away but for now it's a waiting game. The return trip for the French will take on horrific proportions.

 

[villagehorse]

A big weekend Gary. A vast array of conflicts you cover, just amazing. Robin.

 

[NZGary]

A big weekend Gary. A vast array of conflicts you cover, just amazing. Robin.

Thanks Robin. Planning something from the North West Frontier and maybe some Confederate cavalry from the early civil war years for next weekend. But that's a working week away as I am now ensconced at the city apartment.Gary

 

[NZGary]

First up this weekend and its the wild west as a Wells Fargo stagecoach is attacked by Indians in the mid west around the 1880's.

 

[NZGary]

Next up and its still the 1880's but this time shooting around the globe to Afghanistan and the North West Frontier. Britain was very concerned the Russians were going to invade India through Afghanistan at the time. They needed to keep the door on their northern border firmly closed and at the same time subduing Afghan hill tribes near the border. The Gordon's take them on.

 

[NZGary]

And now for a couple of bookends from the German Luftwaffe. At one end a ME109 is ready for a dawn attack on Polish positions west of Warsaw September 1939. At the other end its April 1945 and a depleted and desperate Luftwaffe test fly a Horton jet fighter in a bid to gain some last vestige of advantage as the hounds of destruction devour the Third Reich.

 

[villagehorse]

Nice one Gary. I have the Conte NW British, but no enemy, the Conte pro types never materalized. Really like that stage coach, the only thing that stopped me getting this excellent piece, was it's base being raised up one end to simulate a mountain track, rather it was a flat base giving it more versatility. i also collect Western, so I am disappointed this one does not work for me. Another big weekend for you though. Robin.

 

[NZGary]

Nice one Gary. I have the Conte NW British, but no enemy, the Conte pro types never materalized. Really like that stage coach, the only thing that stopped me getting this excellent piece, was it's base being raised up one end to simulate a mountain track, rather it was a flat base giving it more versatility. i also collect Western, so I am disappointed this one does not work for me. Another big weekend for you though. Robin.

Thanks Robin. The stagecoach can work with a little work on the base but agree would have been more versatile with a flat base. Hopefully another one or two dioramas tomorrow but I am also decorating the study ready for my wife's piano so who knows. Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Gary

 

[NZGary]

Virginia 1862 and the 15th Virginia cavalry out on dawn patrol.

 

[marco55]

You are a true collector Gary.Fantastic collection.
Mark